Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) is a type of bacteria that can infect your stomach and digestive tract. Infection is common, and more than two-thirds of the world’s population is infected, although the rate of infection is declining as more people get access to clean water and sanitation.
Most people with H. pylori become infected as a child and most don’t know they are infected as it can live harmlessly in your body, without causing any symptoms.
In other people, H. pylori slowly attacks the lining of the stomach and is a common cause of dyspepsia (indigestion).
Continued damage can lead to the development of gastric ulcers, which are sores or erosions in the lining of your stomach. For some people, an infection can lead to stomach cancer.
How do you get infected with H. pylori?
H. pylori is more common in countries or areas that lack clean water or are without a good sewerage system. You can easily pick up the bacteria from food, water, utensils, or through contact with the saliva or other body fluids of infected people.
There is a greater risk of spreading the infection in overcrowded living areas.
What are the symptoms of H. pylori?
The symptoms of H. pylori reflect those of dyspepsia (indigestion) or an ulcer and may include:
A dull or burning pain in your stomach that is worse if you haven't eaten
Bloating
Indigestion or heartburn
Nausea
Low appetite
Frequent burping
Acid burps
Weight loss.
How is H. pylori diagnosed?
Doctors do not usually go looking for H. pylori unless you develop ongoing or frequent dyspepsia (indigestion) or gastric ulcers.
Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, any symptoms, and what medications you take. They will perform a physical examination where they will press on your stomach to feel for any swelling, tenderness, or pain.
They may also conduct:
Blood or stool tests to look for evidence of infection or other anomalies (such as anemia or the presence of blood in the stool)
An urea breath test. This detects H. pylori in the stomach
An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to look into your stomach and small intestine and to collect a sample which can be tested for the presence of bacteria
An X-ray
A computed tomography (CT) scan.
How is H.pylori infection treated?
If H. pylori is found, it can be treated using eradication therapy, which usually consists of two antibiotics and another type of medicine called proton pump inhibitor (PPI).
The antibiotics kill H.pylori and the PPI reduces the production of acid in the stomach, allowing the ulcer to heal. Treatment is usually for 7 days and is effective in approximately 90% of people. The chances of reinfection are low because most H. pylori infections occur in childhood.
Drugs used to treat Helicobacter Pylori Infection
The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.
For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity
Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx
Prescription only.
OTC
Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC
Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label
This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA
An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access
Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A
Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B
Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C
Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D
There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X
Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N
FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M
The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U
CSA Schedule is unknown.
N
Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1
Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2
Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3
Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4
Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5
Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X
Interacts with Alcohol.
Further information
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